110 - Inside the World of Medicinal Mushrooms with Derek Fleming

Finally! After over 100 episodes I am finally doing an interview on Medicinal Mushrooms. These foods have been a part of my life for almost two decades and I have experienced multiple personal benefits and witnessed many in others. Today I sit down with Derek Fleming, herbalist and founder of New Earth Organics, to talk about medicinal mushrooms — the science, the history, the marketing myths, and the practical ways to get them into your daily life. Derek has been deep in this world for 20 years, and his take is one grounded in practicality and tradition. He views these fungi as foods, not supplements, and the longer you use them, the more they work. Whether you're brand new to mushrooms or already taking lion's mane, reishi, a blend or otherwise, this conversation will deepen your understanding of medicinal mushrooms and further your dedication to keeping them in your life. This is what we've got for you in this episode: **4:00** – Why Derek started New Earth Organics and his passion for plant medicine and food as medicine **6:40** – The proactive vs. reactive approach to health and teaching the next generation fundamental wellness **14:52** – The history of medicinal mushrooms and how fungi have been on earth for 1.3 billion years **16:23** – Humans share 67–70% DNA overlap with fungi, making us closer to mushrooms than mushrooms are to plants **17:20** – How consuming mushrooms lets us piggyback on their evolved immune and digestive systems **20:18** – How marketing has confused the medicinal mushroom space and what to watch out for **22:02** – Mycelium as the "internet of the earth" and its role in ecosystems and regenerative agriculture **26:54** – The mycelium vs. fruiting body debate debunked and why mycelium on grain is not filler **31:19** – Why myceliated grain is like sauerkraut — the fermentation process transforms it into something completely different **33:41** – Exopolysaccharides (EPS), the mycelium-only compounds that feed beneficial gut bacteria **37:09** – How EPS drives butyrate production for natural GLP-1 activity, gut healing, and reduced brain inflammation **41:38** – Lion's mane breakdown — erinacines in the mycelium and hericenones in the fruiting body and why both matter **43:24** – Lion's mane for cognitive function, nerve damage recovery, and digestive tract support **45:36** – Why mushrooms work better the longer you take them and how they modulate the immune system over time **47:05** – Where to start with medicinal mushrooms and why blends are the easiest entry point **49:26** – Reishi for stress, liver, heart, and kidney support and the doctrine of signatures explained **51:29** – Maitake for blood sugar, insulin regulation, glutathione, and antioxidant defense **54:01** – Turkey tail for immune modulation and protection against EMFs and radiation **56:51** – Cordyceps for energy, oxygen utilization, mitochondrial support, and lymphatic stimulation — for men and women **1:02:44** – How New Earth Organics differs with a whole food, full life cycle, no chemical solvent approach **1:04:42** – Why chasing high beta-glucan content misses the point and why whole powder has superior prebiotic effect **1:10:31** – Mushrooms and serious illness — starting with a blend and layering specific ones based on individual needs **1:12:18** – Hitting the fundamentals first (food, water, sleep, mindset) and then layering mushrooms on top **1:13:25** – Mushrooms are food, easy to add to anything, and the legend of medicinal mushroom popcorn **1:16:58** – Pearl powder and its conchiolin protein for skin firmness, oral health, calming, and sleep support **1:20:14** – Pearl, poria mushroom, and jujube tea as a deeply tranquilizing combination **1:21:14** – How to incorporate mushrooms into daily food — matcha, soups, eggs, yogurt, and baking **1:22:15** – Use code SASCHA10 at newearthorganics.com to save **Find Derek and explore the world of medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs:** **IG:** https://www.instagram.com/newearthorganics **Website**: https://newearthorganics.com/ Use code SASCHA10 to save! \-------------------------------------------- **Find me:** Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saschakalivoda/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/saschaksays/ Website: www.sovereigncollective.org Sovereign Collective Shop: https://sovereigncollective.org/shop/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@saschasays/videos Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Tfl1Zo021FcX Email: sascha @ sovereigncollective.org #medicinalmushrooms #mushrooms #reishi #fungi #mushroom #mycology #lionsmane #cordyceps #adaptogens #chaga #lionsmanemushroom #wellness #health #reishimushroom #turkeytail #medicinalherbs #organic #vegan #healthylifestyle #nootropics #mushlove #mushroomsofinstagram #superfoods #magicmushrooms #shiitake #gourmetmushrooms #plantmedicine #mushroomcoffee #wildmushrooms #shrooms